Keel-billed Toucan NOT taken in the wild but at the zoo. It's captive and does not count. But gods it's a gorgeous bird! To find this bird, go to Palenque, Chiapas. |
As we flew out into the night skies above Mexico City, I felt homesick for all my friends who live in the surrounding states. As a younger man, I rented an apartment during a summer in Mexico City, partied in amazing locales, studied at the university in Guadalajara, spent many vacations in Puebla and Tlaxcala, ate at great restaurants and discovered the wonders and beauty of Mexican culture.
Our destination was Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. This is a state I have never visited before so it was on the top of my list of places to explore. Instead of cultural study, as I usually do, I focused solely on the wildlife and natural parks found around the area.
Tiger Longwing |
Plain Chachalaca |
Plain Chachalaca chick |
These birds were common and observed on many of our treks around Chiapas.
Zoomat entrance |
Crested Guan |
I think the iguana above was part of the zoo display, but I really don't know. These large reptiles hang out in many different locations. On another trek we spotted two of these large lizards in the wild at a local park.
Green Jay |
Fatima Peacock (Anartia fatima) |
Banded Wren |
Russet-crowned Motmot |
Female Great Curassow with chick |
Male Great Curassow versus human butt |
Finally today folks, I want to share MY bird of the day along with the endemic black Agouti from the photo below. I was SO excited to finally see the skittish White-tipped Dove out in the open. These birds are often heard but rarely seen. It was a bird I already had on my life list but one without photo documentation. It appears that several zoo scraps were enticing enough to lure a couple of these secretive birds from the dark forest.
White-tipped Dove and Agouti |
My journeys will continue over the next several weeks. I'll be sharing thoughts on the pros and cons of guided tours, listers, photography, and of course focusing on some of the most amazing places we stopped to bird. I'll also be featuring beautiful butterflies in several of my posts from Chiapas. So let's get this party started. Until next time friends.......
Hello Chris, what a great way to start of your trip! I love seeing the cute little chicks. And the Green Jay and Wren are awesome. Pretty shot of the Motmot. Great post, thanks for sharing your trip! Happy Birding, have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun post, Chris. I really enjoyed it. I'm not a birder like you but I enjoy seeing new birds - at least new to me. Just about 15 minutes ago I thought I heard a rattle near the front door. I was sitting with my back to the glass storm door but it wasn't something that I thought needed to be checked on. A few seconds later I heard something similar. I got up and peeked through the glass to find the biggest roadrunner I've ever seen sitting on the deck! He moved to another area for a few seconds and then came back. I grabbed the camera that had the biggest lens on it and tried very quietly to leave from the back door so I wouldn't startle him, but by the time I got to the front he was gone. He may have heard me come out the back. I've seen lots of roadrunners in Texas and Arizona but this guy was a giant! And then the next blog to open was yours!
ReplyDeleteYes one would not guess the difficulty level at which you operated for these birds. How fun!
ReplyDeleteSounds like this was a wonderful experience and the photos really show it!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting description of your trip and great to see so many birds - all new for me!
ReplyDeleteExcept for one or two, many of these birds are new to me.
ReplyDeleteI liked reading your detailed post and enjoyed the photos very much.
Have a Great Week!
Peace :)
Chris, what wonderful photos and birds you saw! It will be fun to read all your forthcoming posts!
ReplyDeleteWhat a really exciting trip this must have been! Your stop at the zoo yielded so much! I loved the guan, the green jay and the currasow! All the birds were wonderful! And yes I tend to get a little complacent about the doves who visit my yard, and don't photograph them as much. BUT I'd be excited if I saw a Eurasian collared or this white-tipped! Something new and exotic is always so exciting! (I almost didn't see the agouti in the picture!) And yes, yes, the first shot is of an incredibly beautiful bird! I'm so glad you included it even if he was a zoo resident! He's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteSome incredible looking birds.
ReplyDeletefantastic collection of birds -- toucans really are amazing!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see some new types of birds. We have one here that is a bit similar to your russet-crowned motmot that is called a rainbow bee-eater. That toucan has amazing colours and so does the green jay. Thanks for dropping by. Anne@GritandGiggles
ReplyDeleteI do like the idea of checking in with the local zoo to get ready for the wild birding. Nice selection here.
ReplyDeleteVery neat set of birds and their pictures. I was especially interested in the white-tipped dove which, I understand is following the white-winged dove northward. I saw my first ones in south Texas, I think at Laguna Atascosa.
ReplyDelete